Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada is the elusive kingpin of the Sinaloa Cartel and one of the most wanted fugitives in the world. In their years of harassment, this cold-headed drug lord has been able to avoid capture by law enforcement agencies, entrenching his reputation as a master of disguise and subterfuge.
This co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, alongside another infamous criminal, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, has made El Mayo an instrumental factor in building this organization into a global criminal empire. His strategic acumen, coupled with ruthless tactics, has kept his cartel ahead in the drug trade.
The fact that Zambada has been able to remain so well hidden is indicative of the level of caution he exercises and the highly developed web of protection surrounding him. Most of his peers cannot be said to have done the same, having courtside with modern technological advancements in communications, thereby making it very hard for the law enforcers to track his activities. Moreover, family bonds run deep: loyal relatives guard around him at all times, always keeping themselves between him and capture.
The Sinaloa drug cartel has equally shown unmatched innovation in drug smuggling under El Mayo’s leadership. From using sophisticated tunnel systems and maritime vessels in carrying out trades, the cartel has been ahead of the law enforcers. All these are what make the cartel very adaptive and resourceful, attributes that have largely contributed to its success in the long term.
While there are periodic rumors of El Mayo’s capture, none have yet borne any fruit. The U.S. finally places a rather large bounty on his head, indicating an effort really to bring him to justice. As of this date, however, El Mayo remains at large, a shadowy figure who still commands nickels and guards against capture.
